May is a month devoted to raising awareness on Mental health.
This could not be any more relevant as one cannot ignore the major effect that the COVID pandemic had on our lives.
Many of us came across challenges that were stressful, overwhelming, and caused strong emotions, deteriorating our mental and physical status. Public health actions, such as social distancing, were necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they made us feel isolated and lonely and increased stress and anxiety.
When it comes to our body, it is good to acknowledge that mental health and physical health are intertwined.
One can rarely have one without the other, they feed each other. In that regard, water sports are notoriously therapeutic; whether it’s swimming in a pool, paddling through a lake, surfing the waves, exploring ocean depths, or kayaking down at the river, there’s something undeniably thrilling and soothing about being in or on the water. People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.
Physical exercise, in any form, releases hormones called endorphins, which are natural secretions that lighten our moods and makes us experience happiness and positivity.
Inside the water, the feeling of lightness and tranquility is enough to help us relax and unwind. Scientific studies have shown that simply being near bodies of water can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
SUP takes these benefits a step further.
A recent study about The physiological, musculoskeletal and psychological effects of stand up paddle boarding has shown that there is a positive correlation between the sport and self-rated quality of life.
Stand Up Paddleboarding appears to be an enjoyable, easy to learn alternative compared to traditional forms of training. It also shows a significant improvement in aerobic and anaerobic fitness, core strength and self-rated quality of life.
The combination of the repetitive motion of paddling, combined with breathing in fresh air while out on the water can very quickly get you into a zen state that will calm the body and decrease your levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone, improving your general outlook in life.
Another bonus to exercising on the water is that it forces you to be present.
All of the mind oscillations disappear while focusing on those same repetitive paddling strokes, trying to stay balanced on your board.
More often than not, SUP takes place when the weather is warm and sunny. Sun exposure is one of the best sources of vitamin D, which is a necessary nutrient for many functions in the body.
One of the important functions of vitamin D is its ability to enhance concentration and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment, rebuilding and fortifying the immune system.
With a stand up paddle board (SUP), it takes no more than 20-30 minutes to get a full dose of the “nature pill” your body and mind need to improve your mental health and overall well-being.
As the stress hormones burden fades away, the energy and productivity level begin to rise.
Furthermore, joining a SUP club or just getting on board, is often a brilliant way of socializing and meeting new people. The benefits of socializing on mental health are truly worth mentioning:
-It boosts immunity, confidence and self-esteem
-It increases the brain health
-It promotes purpose, connecting like-minded people while combating monotony.
-It satisfies the human need for belonging
Plus, doing something that you enjoy, helps you feel good and makes you happy!
SUPinCrete wishes to be a strong advocate for mental health by promoting our sport and encouraging people to try it on and benefit from its numerous properties.
Our location in Chania, Crete, being a wind-shielded bay with calm waters, makes it accessible and ideal for any level of paddler requiring absolutely no prior experience.
Contact us and get your SUP “nature pill”
Always at your disposal
SUPinCrete
SOURCES:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm
https://www.makeitmissoula.com/2020/09/most-common-benefits-of-water-sports-on-mental-and-physical-health/
https://www.viewpointcenter.com/blog/need-mental-health-awareness-month/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://herosup.com/blogs/info/how-paddle-boarding-benefits-your-mental-health
https://good-trails.com/2019/01/15/mental-health-benefits-of-paddleboarding/
https://www.supconnect.com/opinion/what-are-the-mental-health-benefits-of-sup
https://wwws.fitnessrepublic.com/5-physical-and-mental-health-benefits-of-water-sports.html
https://www.islesurfandsup.com/paddle-boarding-mental-health/